Line control



March 7, 1950 s, HAMER 2,499,381

LINE CONTROL Filed May 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /EE W4 4. I 32, 52 E l I f 37 linl SE Lgf-:ffsmg 73 I l 79 JZ fav /l'/fg msraA ELA/v0 5. #AME/Q ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 7, 1950 LINE CONTROL Leland S. Hamer, Long Beach, Calif., assignor of one-fourth to Paul A. Dewhirst, Los Angeles,

Calif.

Application May 21, 1945, Serial No. 594,852

Claims. (Cl. 277-67) This invention has to do with a line control and is more particularly concerned with the control of iiow through a pipe line, or the like, by means of a plate in combination with gates. It is a general object of my present invention to provide a simple, effective, improved structure of the general character referred to wherein there is a plate operable to handle or control flow, either a blinding plate or an orifice plate, and in addition to the plate there are gate units one at each side of the plate so that the line can be effectively closed in either direction from the plate.

It is common, in handling fluids or in manifold assemblies to employ flow handling plates with blinding plates or orice plates. and it is often necessary to provide a shut-off means at either side of a plate, and this is usually accomplished through the use of an ordinary gate valverlhe usual assembly of a plate fitting with standard or ordinary type gate valves is cumbersome, expensive, and occupies a great deal of space.

It is a general object of my present invention to provide a simplified and improved assembly involving a plate and two gate units, one at each side of the plate, in which assembly the gate units are coupled by structure supporting the operating means for the gates, and also by independently operable means around the flow passage. With the construction that I have provided a single frame carries the nuts of the operating means that work in connection with the stems of the gates and also couples the body extensions of the gate units through which the stems pass. The construction just referred to ties or couples the gate units together so that they can be handled or manipulated as a single unit.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide a construction of the general character above referred to in which the gates of the valve units are removable from the ilow passages of said units while the units are coupled or joined together.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical detailed sectional view of the construction provided by my invention showing it in operating position in a pipe line, Fig. 2 is a reduced view of the upper end portion of one of the gate units showing an operating wrench applied thereto. Fig. 3 is a 2 Y sectional view taken as indicated by line 3- on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the structure being a view taken as indicated -by line 4-4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a plan section taken as indicated by line 5--5 on Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a plan section taken as indicated by line 66 on Fig. l.

The construction provided by my invention involves, generally, two like opposed gate units A and B, a plate C carried between the gate units, means D connecting the gate units where the plate -is engaged between them, which means is operable to clamp the gate units to the plate or to spread them to free the plate, a frame E connecting the gate units independent of the means D so the units have limited relative movement under the inuence of means D, and means F carried by the frame E to effect operation of the gate units.

The gate units A and B are like opposed structures in the nature of gate valves and the units are arranged in opposed relation so that their inner ends receive the plate C between them. Since the gate units are alike except that they are reversed, I will describe one of the units, it being understood that the description is also applicable to the other unit. l

Each gate unit includes a bodywith a main tubular section II] forming a flow passage II, a lateral extension I2 integral with the section IIJ and establishing a chamber I3 for the re-ception of a gate I4 when it is in its retracted position, a stem I5 entering the body preferably through the top of the extension I2 through suitable packing means I6, and means Il detachably connecting the stem and gate.

The main section III is a simple, tubular element having its inner end 20 normal to the axis of the flow passage I I and finished to engage the side of the plate C. The outer end of the section IU is nished for connection with a pipe section L or the like. In the particular case illustrated I have shown a ange 2I on the section Il) to receive a companion ange 22 on the pipe section L and I have shown bolts 23 connecting the flanges 2I and 22. It is to be understood that, in practice, any suitable means may bt provided for connecting the section II] with a pipe line L, or the like.

The extension I2 of the body is a laterally disposed ease-like part forming the chamber I3 which is transverse of and which intersects the flow passage II. The chamber I3 is shaped and proportioned to receive or accommodate the gate I4 which is preferably a disc-shaped gate. In

3% the preferred construction the extension includes side walls 24, end walls 25, and a top wall 26, all integrally joined and forming a completely closed chamber I3 except where the chamber joins the passage I I.

The inner end portion o the body section it' has a bore 21 defining the passage II and has a permanent finished part or surface 28 normal to the passage I I and forming a seat or face against which the gate abuts when closed. The outer end portion of the main section III of the body is provided with a counterbore 29 and a sleeve 30 is slidably engaged in the counterbore and has its inner end 3| inclined or pitched relative to the passage II and finished to be iiat and so as to form a seat for the reception of the gate I4. The outer end 32 of the sleeve is iiat and ush with the outer end 33 of the section III. The opening or bore 34 through the sleeve 30 conforms in diameter with the bore 21 and denes the passage II in the outer portion of the section I D.

The gate I4, as above stated. is disc-shaped and, as shown in Fig 1, it is provided with an inner side 35 which is ilat and normal to the passage II and with an outer side 36 which is inclined or pitched relative to the passage II corresponding to the end 3| of the insert sleeve 30. With the construction thus far described, the faces 28 and 3| define or form a wedge-shaped opening to receive the gate and the gate is wedge-shaped to fit tightly or snugly into that opening. It will be apparent that by providing the removable sleeve and by locating that sleeve in the outer portion of the body the sleeve can be easily and quickly removed whenever desired. served that the gate is made of a diameter slightly smaller than the counterbore 29 in the outer portion of the body so that when it is released from the stem I it is free to be removed from the body by removal of the sleeve from the outer end portion of the body.

The releasable connection I1 between the stem I5 and the gate I4 is designed to allow quick release of the gate from the stem when desired. The particular connection shown in the drawings involves a socket 40 in the upper or thick edge of the gate I4, and end 4I on the stem to enter the socket, and a pin 42 arranged transversely through the upper portion of the gate and the end 4I of the stem. The pin 42 is made suinciently long so that it cannot become dislodged as it is conned by the walls 25 of the body extention I2. I provide one or more access openings 43 in the walls 24 which openings are normally closed by plugs 44 and are located so that the pin 42 can be reached for the purpose of removal when desired.

The packing means provided around the stem where it passes through the top wall 26 of body extension I2 may include a counterbore 45 in a boss 46 projecting upwardly from the top wall 26. Packing 41 is arranged in the counterbore and a follower 48 is provided for compressing the packing around the stem.

The plate C is a ow control element acting between the units A and B, that is, between the inner end faces 20 of the tubular sections I0 of the units, and in practice the plate may be of any suitable character, for instance, an orifice plate or a blinding plate. In the drawings I have shown a plate in position having a blinding end between the gate units A and B and an apertured end out of operating position. The two plate sections are joined by a neck portion 50 having an elongate opening or slot 5I.` The neck of the plate is held It is also to be ob- 4 by one of the units of means D as will be hereinafter described.

In practice it may be desirable to provide means for sealing between the gate units and the plate. To this end I have shown channels 52 in the end faces 20 of the body sections I 0 surrounding the portion 21 and I have provided packing 53 in the channels. It is to be understood that any suitable packing means or sealing means, such as gaskets cr sealing rings, may be used in place of the arrangement I have shown.

'I'he means D is provided for operating the units A and B relative to each other, that is, in an axial direction relative to each other, and preferably includes a plurality of spaced elements in the nature of screw devices. In the preferred arrangement I provide three units of means D spaced around the inner end portions of the body sections I0 of the units A and B by which arrangement the elements of means D are spaced so that the plate parts can be swung into and out of position between them.

Each element of the means D involves lugs 55 projecting radially from the inner end portions of the body sections I0 near their inner ends, a nut 56 carried in one lug, and a screw 51 carried by the opposite lug. The nut 56 is a spool-like element having an end flange 58 fitting a recess in the lug 55 so that the nut is held against rotation. The nut is bodily held in a notch 60 in its supporting lug 55 and a removable key such as a cotter key 6 I holds the nut in the lug.

The screw 51 is rotatably supported in a notch 62 in the other or opposite lug 55 where it is retained by a removable key 63. A head 64 is provided on the outer end of the screw to be engaged by an operating tool and a threaded end of the screw engages in the nut 56. Shoulders 65 are provided on the screw to engage opposite sides of its supporting lug 55 so the screw is held against axial movement. It is also to be observed that the flanges at the ends of the nut 56 engage opposite sides of the lug 55 so the nut is held against axial movement. With the construction above described, when the screw 51 is rotated in one direction the gate units A and B are drawn or clamped together onto the plate C, whereas if the screw 51 is rotated in the opposite direction the units A and B are moved about freeing the plate C. One of the several screws of means D is employed to hold the plate. In the arrangement shown one of the screws 51 is located at the lower or bottom end of the structure while the other two screws are at opposite sides of the structure adjacent the walls 25 of the body extension I2. One of these upper or side screws passes through the opening 5I in the neck 50 that joins the two ends of the plate so the plate can be slid and rotated to move the ends into and out of position between the units A and B, as desired.

The means F provided for effecting operation of the stems I5 of the gate units involves threads 10 on the upper or projecting end portions of the stems and nuts 1I engaged on the threaded portions of the stems. The frame E, which I will hereinafter describe, supports the nuts so that they are held against axial movement but are free to rotate. When the nuts are rotated the stems threaded through them are moved axially, the direction of movement depending upon the direction of rotation of the nuts. In Fig. 2 I have shown a socket wrench type of tool T to fit over the nuts and having an elongate socket 12 to receive the stems as they move upwardly.

The frame E that I have provided serves to join or couple the body extensions I2 tying them together yet allowing relative movement between them under the influence of the means D, and it also serves to hold the nuts 1| as above described.

The frame E includes what I will term a lower insert in the form of a block engaged between the bosses 4E which project from the tops 26 of the body extensions I2. The` insert 15 is conned between the tops 26 and flanges 1B on the upper ends of the'bosses 48. The frame further includes verticallyl disposed legs 11 one at each gate unit. Collar portions 18 are provided at the lower ends of the legs 11 and engage the bosses 46 so that the insert 15 is located between the collar portions 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Bolts 18 extend between the collar portions 18 of the two legs at opposite sides of the bosses and extendfthrough openings 88 in the insert 15 so that the collar portions. and the insert are tide together by the bolts, and so that they are engaged around the bosses and thus couple or tie the units A and B together at the vupper end portions of the extensions i2. The opposed faces 8l and 82 of the collar portions 18 and inserts 15, respectively, are shaped or proportioned so that they define -a slightly elngate'opening in the direction of the axis of the flow passage, thus allowing for slight relativeV movementv of the units A and B axially under the influence of the means D.

Threaded posts 84 are pivotally carried on the bolts 18 to project upwardly therefrom and these posts pass through openings 85 in anges 8E on the followers 48. Nuts 81 are provided on the upper ends of the posts. With this construction tightening of the nuts 81 operates the followers to compress the packing carried in the counterbores 45.

The legs 11 project upwardly a substantial distance above the construction just described and at their outer ends they are provided with-head portions 98 which engage the nuts 1i. An insert 9i is arranged between the two nuts 1l and bolts 92 extend between the head .portions 9U and through the insert 9i coupling these parts together so that they form a frame that holds the nuts. Flanges 93 are provided on the nuts to operate in channels 94 in the head portions 9o and through the insert 9| coupling these parts together so that they form a frame that holds the nuts. Flanges 93 are provided on the nuts to operate in channels 94 in the head portions and insert so the nuts are held against axial movement. The nut engaging faces or portions of the head parts 98 and inserts 9| are shaped like the parts 8i and 82 oi the collars 18 and inserts 15 so that the nuts are free to move somewhat axially of the flow passage.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a rigid body with a tubular iiow conducting portion, a gate operable in the body laterally of said portion, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion, the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a flow controlling plate between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other axially of said portions to clamp them to the plate, a rigid frame connecting the valve units at a point laterally removed from the said portions, and means for operating the stems including members rotatably carried by the frame and threaded to the stems.

2. In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a rigid body with a tubular oW conducting portion and a laterally projecting chest forming a chamber in communication with said tubular portion, a gate operable in the body laterally of said portion and into the chamber, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion and through the chamber, the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a flow controlling plate between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other axially of said portions to clamp them to the plate, a rigid frame connecting the valve units at a point laterally removed from the said portions, and means for operating the stems including members rotatably carried by the frame and threaded to the stems.

3. In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a rigid body with a tubular flow conducting portion, a gate operable in the body laterally of said portion, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion, the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a flow controlling plate between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other axially of said portions to clamp them to the plate, a rigid frame connecting the valve units at a point laterally removed from the said portions, and means for operating the stems including members rotatably carried by the frame and threaded to the stems, the frame including a plurality of separate sections normally assembled together and attached to the bodies of the valve units to be supported thereby and carrying the said members to shift and rotate.

4. In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a rigid body with a tubular flow conducting portion, a gate operable in the r body laterally of said portion, and a gate oper- I ating stem projecting laterally from said portion,

the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a ow controlling plate between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other axially of said portions to clamp them to the plate, a rigid U frame connecting the valve units at a point laterally removed from the said portions, and means for operating the stems including members rotatably carried by the frame and threaded to the stems, the frame being slidably coupled to the bodies of the valve units to be supported thereby.

5. In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a rigid body with a tubular iiow conducting portion, a gate operable in the body laterally of said portion, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion,

the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a flow controlling p-late between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other axially of l said portions to clamp them to the plate, a rigid frame connecting the valve units at a point laterally removed from the said portions, and means for operating the stems including members rotatably carried by the frame and threaded to the stems, the frame including an insert between spaced parts of the valve units and legs attached to the insert and projecting therefrom and supporting said members.

6. In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a rigid body with a tubular flow conducting portion, a gate operable in the body laterally of said portion, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion, the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed Vinner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a flow controlling plate between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other axially of said portions t clamp them tothe plate, a rigid frame connecting the valve units at a point laterally removed from the said portions, and means for operating the stems including members rotatably carried by the frame and threaded to the stems, the frame including, spaced parallel legs with collar portions at their inner ends engaged with the bodies of the valve units, and an insert between the outer end portions of the legs, the legs and said insert defining openings rotatably and slidably carrying said members.

'7. In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a rigid body with a tubular ilow conducting portion, a gate operable in the body laterally of said portion, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion, the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a flow controlling plate between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other axially of said portions to clamp them to the plate, a rigid frame connecting the valve units at a point laterally removed from the said portions, and means for operating the stems including members rotatably carried by the frame and threaded to the stems, the frame including spaced parallel legs, an inner insert between theinner end portions of the legs, and an outer insert between the outer end portions of the legs, the legs and inner insert slidably holding spaced parts of the bodies of the valve units and the legs and outer insert slidably and rotatably holding the said members.

8. In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a rigid body with a tubular flow conducting portion with a laterally disposed gate chamber, a gate operable in the chamber laterally of said portion, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion, the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a flow `flow conducting portion, a gate operable in the body laterally of said portion, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion, the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a ow controlling plate between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other to clamp them to the plate including, screw operated ties circumferentially spaced around the tubular portions of the bodies, adjacent ties being spaced apart to pass the plate into and out of engagement between the inner ends of the bodies, a rigid frame connecting the valve units at a point laterally removed from the said portions, and means for operating the stems including members rotatably carried by the frame and threaded to the stems.

10. `In combination, two like valve units, each valve unit including, a, rigid body with a tubular flow conducting portion, a gate operable in the body laterally of said portion, and a gate operating stem projecting laterally from said portion, the bodies of the two units having spaced opposed inner ends in parallel planes, the bodies being shiftable relative to each other axially of said portions, a flow controlling plate between and engaged by the inner ends of the bodies, means connecting ,the said portions of the valve units and operating them relative to each other axially of said portions to clamp them to the plate including, screw operated ties circumferentially spaced around the tubular portions of the bodies, adjacent ties being spaced apart to pass the plate into and out of engagement between the inner ends of the bodies, and tubular inserts engaged in the tubular portions of the bodies from their outer ends and having inclined inner ends engaged by the gate operating the gates into engagement with the walls of the chambers.

LELAND S. HAMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 38,138 Bond Apr. 7, 1863 871,085 Claflin Nov. 12, 1907 2,200,416 Daniels May 14, 1940 2,214,959 Hamer Sept. 17, 1940 2,339,970 Young Jan. 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 498,049 France of 1919 

